General Info

Prezista is an HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called protease inhibitors. Prezista was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use by people living with HIV in October 2008.

Prezista must be combined with either Norvir (ritonavir) or Tybost (cobicistat) and other HIV drugs. For use in combination with cobicistat, the fixed-dose combination tablet Prezcobix is available.

Pediatric Dose: Age 3 to 18 years old: dosing based on body weight and should not exceed the adult dose

Dosing Info: Take with food. If taken with ddI (Videx or Videx EC), Prezista/Norvir should be taken at least two hours before or one hour after taking ddI.

Side Effects

Common side effects associated with Prezista-based regimens include diarrhea, nausea, headache, and abdominal pain.

Rash is another common side effect of Prezista. If a severe rash occurs while taking Prezista, contact your health care provider immediately. Prezista is a sulfa-containing drug and should be used with caution in patients with a known sulfa allergy.

Some people may experience increases in their lipid levels (triglycerides and cholesterol) or diabetes risk while being treated with protease inhibitors. These problems are much less common with duranavir-based regimens compared with most other protease inhibitors.

Drug-induced hepatitis (liver injury) has been reported in people taking protease inhibitors. This usually occurred in people who had extremely low CD4 cells, were taking multiple other medications and who were also infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Lab tests to monitor liver function is an important component of routine follow-up care and important for people using protease inhibitors.

Drug Interactions

The following medications should not be taken while you are being treated with Prezista:Acid reflux/heartburn medications: Propulsid (cisapride)Antibiotics: Rifadin (rifampin)Antimigraine medications: Methergine, Methylergometrine (methylergonovine); Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine (ergotamine); Ergotrate, Methergine (ergonovine); or D.H.E. 45, Migranal (dihydroergotamine)Anti-gout: Colcrys (colchicine)

Important hepatitis C treatment drug-drug interactions: Norvir-boosted Prezista can be combined with Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir), ribavirin, and pegylated interferon alfa. Do not use with Olysio/Sovriad (simeprevir) or Viekira Pak (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir).

Other Info

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver disease (including hepatitis B). In addition, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, if you are breast feeding, and all your medical conditions, including all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking.